The gym of the future

Preva - 2014

Technology has changed the way people approach to fitness and as new mobile apps and gadgets become available the tech revolution affects gyms as well. Gym members are more informed than before and want to be able to benefit of the latest technology when joining their gym. Treadmills, weight machines, bikes, and the whole gym equipment are changing because of technology. Therefore, it is important for facilities owners to stay updated with the newest trends if they want to provide a high quality service to their members. 

Here are some of the companies that rule the world of tech fitness equipment. 

Life Fitness

Life Fitness is one of the world’s leader manufactures of fitness equipment that specializes in the production and distribution of equipment for commercial and home fitness. Life Fitness has been around for about 40 years and developed the industry's first computerized stationary bike. With more than 400 products the American manufacturer provides all kind of fitness equipment with the latest technologies. Check here for the full range of their products. 

The innovation of Life Fitness doesn’t end here. At CES 2013 Life Fitness announced a partnership with Runtastic. Life Fitness equipment will be integrated with the Runtastic app so that users can save their activity parameters straight into their phones. For example when running on the treadmill they can click ‘save’ on the screen and the session is automatically saved on runtastic.com (Runtastic, 2013) This is definitely one of the most advanced features ever presented: so far users had to insert manually their performances parameters on mobile devices in order to monitor their progress, but if this technology used by Life Fitness is fully implemented the future of fitness is definitely going to change! 

Runtastic, 2013

Technogym

Technogym is a leader manufacturer of fitness equipment based in Cesena, Italy. They pursue innovation and technology and have been providing high technology fitness machines since 1983. Their products are the results of a combined effort of expert scientists and high skilled engineers that create stylish, innovative, and effective workout machines (Technogym, 2014). 

Always ahead of the game Technogym has partnered last year with the leading mobile and fitness tracking platform RunKeeper. Their partnership was presented at FIBO 2013 and will allow RunKeeper users to keep track of all of their movement and physical activity at the gym and outside. The Technogym machines have an interactive console for users to insert their programs and history, plus there is a fitted webcam that allows members to make video calls with their trainers. With this partnership members will be able to sync their gym workouts with GPS-workouts and have a complete picture of their fitness performance. Thanks to this platform, clubs owners can offer customised packages to their members and will be able to connect with them on any Technogym equipment or via personal devices anywhere in the world (Technogym, 2014).

Precor 

Precor is one of the world’s leading fitness equipment manufacturers, supplying premium fitness machines for home and commercial use. Founded in 1985 Precor is a subsidiary of the Amer Sports Corporation, the world's largest sports equipment company and has its headquarters in Woodinville, Washington. Precor provides the most innovative fitness equipment focusing on ergonomic motion, proven science, and superior engineering (Precor Incorporated, 2014).

In 2005 Precor launched Preva an advanced integrated fitness software that combines the touch screen technologies found in the latest mobile phones and electronic tablets with proprietary software to provide a rich and inviting interface. Preva brings exercisers’ experience to a completely different level allowing them to reach and set higher goals for their workout. Available on the P80 consoles of the Precor 880 Line of cardio equipment, Preva technologies help facility operators to better manage their business by improving equipment management, increase retention and drive revenue (Precor Incorporated, 2014).

What technology do you use?

Obviously not all fitness facilities can afford such equipment and even when they are purchased the technology progress is so fast that not all gyms can change their equipment every year. The point here is to understand that technology is becoming an important element in the fitness journey of many people, and customers are looking for more interactive equipment when they workout. 

Is you gym using enough technology? Even if you don’t use the companies above, do you feel that your equipment makes customers happy and (more important) loyal to your facility? These are questions that you should ask yourself when planning for the year ahead.  Always keep an eye open for what’s coming and make sure you implement technology as much as you can (afford)if you want to stand out from the crowd!

Happy Fitness
Stefania